https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/4-Gbit-Fibre-Channel-switch-product-specifications
Switches are used to segregate network traffic, and they are particularly crucial in a storage area network (SAN) to interconnect servers and storage devices into the overall SAN fabric. As SANs scale up over time, data centers are often upgrade and expand the SAN switch infrastructure. In most cases, the switch fabric is based on traditional Fibre Channel (FC) technology for its high speed, low latency and advanced reliability features such as ISL trunking, as well as security features that protect the storage network. The product snapshots in this chapter highlight key specifications for a cross section of popular director-class 4 Gbit and faster FC switch products. The following products were selected based on input from industry analysts and SearchStorage.com editors, and specifications are current as of February 2007.
The following specifications have been provided by vendors and are periodically updated. Vendors are welcome to submit their updates and new product specifications to [email protected].
Go to the first product snapshot, or select the desired product below:
Product Snapshot #1
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Product: Brocade Communications Systems; SilkWorm 48000 director
Ports per Domain: 384 ports per Director; >2500 ports within a single
fabric
Port Speed(s): All ports auto-negotiate from 4G, 2G and 1G Fibre Channel
speeds
Performance: 4Gb: 3.07 Tb/s; 2Gb: 1.5 Tb/s; 1Gb: 0.7 Tb/s
Latency: <2.1 µsec any port to any port at 2Gbit/sec, cut-through routing; <3.6
µsec any port to any port at 4Gbit/sec, cut-through routing
Classes of Service: Class 2, Class 3 and Class F (inter-switch frames)
Management Software: SNMP, Brocade Fabric Manager
Fabric Services: Simple Name Server; Registered State Change Notification (RSCN); Alias
Server (multicast); Brocade Advanced Zoning; FICON Control Unit Port (CUP) on FC4-16 and FC4-32
port blades; Fabric Watch; Extended Fabrics; Remote Switch; ISL Trunking, and Advanced Performance
Monitoring
Protocol Support: FCP, FICON, iSCSI, FCIP, Ethernet
Application Support: Not provided
Security: Software license key for Brocade Secure Fabric OS. Brocade Secure Fabric OS
enables digital certificates and digital signatures, multiple levels of password protection, strong
password encryption, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) authentication, and 128-bit encryption of the
switch's private key used for digital signatures. It also supports open management standards such
as DH-CHAP for switch-to-switch authentication, SSH v2, SSL, RADIUS, and SNMP v3
Scalability: 56 switch domains
Interoperability: See the compatibility matrix at
http://www.brocade.com/products/pdf/Fabric_Aware_Compatibility_%20Matrix-070110.pdf
Vendor Comment: The Brocade SilkWorm 48000 director provides 4Gbit/sec Fibre Channel
performance and scalability for large high-availability SANs -- with up to 384 ports in a single
domain and proven fabric intelligence. Its design includes every high-availability feature to
support "five-nines" operation. Full product family compatibility, multi-protocol capabilities, and
application processing upgrades ensure investment protection.
Availability: Currently available
Base Cost: Not provided
Detailed Specs:
http://www.brocade.com/products/directors/silkworm_48000/index.jsp
Vendor URL: www.brocade.com
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Product Snapshot #2
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Product: Brocade Communications Systems; Mi10K (formerly McData)
Ports per Domain: Anywhere from 32 to 256; Each Mi10K can support from 1 to 4
domains.
Port Speed(s): 1, 2, 4 or 10Gb Fibre Channel
Performance: Full transfer rate, sustained at each speed.
Latency: 28usec for Mi10k
Classes of Service: Class 2, Class 3, Class F
Management Software: Heterogeneous Enterprise Fabric Connectivity Manager (EFCM), SNMP
v1/2/3, CLI – Telnet, SSH, SSHv2, FICON Management Server (CUP), Inband Management (OSMS), RSCN
Filtering
Fabric Services: Simple Name Server, Management Server, Fabric Config Server, Unzoned
Name Server, Fabric Zone Server, FICON CUP Server, Fabric Login Server, Fabric Controller, Domain
Controller
Protocol Support: FC-PH, FC-PH-2, FC-PH-3, FC-GS-2, FC-GS-3, FC-FLA, FC-FG, FC-MI, FC-SW,
FC-SW-2, 10GFC, FC-FS, FC-PI, FC-SB-2, FC-SB-3; FICON: Express 4 or lower
Application Support: Support is provided for all partner (IBM, HDS, SUN, EMC) fabric
based application including all replication and backup applications
Security: SAN LPAR hard partitioning, Password Authentication, Radius Support, Security
Log, Log-in banner, E/F port authentication, CHAP authentication, SSHv2, IP ACLs, SSH, SSL, SNMP
v3, Port/switch/fabric binding
Scalability: Up to 31 switches supported
Interoperability: See the details at
http://www.brocade.com/products/interop/san-interop.jsp
Vendor Comment: The Mi10K is the ideal network consolation vehicle with 256 ports,
support for FICON and Fibre Channel and hierarchical fabric segmentation with SAN LPARs and Open
VSANs.
Availability: Currently available
Base Cost: List pricing for a 256 port Mi10K director is $451,727 USD
Detailed Specs: http://www.brocade.com/products/directors/Mi10K/index.jsp
Vendor URL: www.brocade.com
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Product Snapshot #3
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Product: Brocade Communications Systems; M6140 (formerly McData)
Ports per Domain: 140 ports
Port Speed(s): 1, 2, 4, and 10 Gb Fibre Channel
Performance: Full duplex for 1, 2 and 4Gb
Latency: Under 2 microseconds
Classes of Service: Simple Name Server, Management Server, Fabric Config Server, Unzoned
Name Server, Fabric Zone Server, FICON CUP Server, Fabric Login Server, Fabric Controller, Domain
Controller
Management Software: Heterogeneous Enterprise Fabric Connectivity Manager (EFCM), SNMP
v1/2/3, CLI – Telnet, SSH, SSHv2, FICON Management Server (CUP), Inband Management (OSMS), RSCN
Filtering
Fabric Services: Simple Name Server, Management Server, Fabric Config Server, Unzoned
Name Server, Fabric Zone Server, FICON CUP Server, Fabric Login Server, Fabric Controller, Domain
Controller
Protocol Support: FC-PH, FC-PH-2, FC-PH-3, FC-GS-2, FC-GS-3, FC-FLA, FC-FG, FC-MI, FC-SW,
FC-SW-2, 10GFC, FC-FS, FC-PI, FC-SB-2, FC-SB-3; FICON: Express 4 or lower
Application Support: Support is provided for all partner (IBM, HDS, SUN, EMC) fabric
based application including all replication and backup applications
Security: Password Authentication, Radius Support, Security Log, Log-in banner, E/F port
authentication, CHAP authentication, SSHv2, IP ACLs, SSH, SSL, SNMP v3, Port, switch and fabric
binding
Scalability: Up to 31 switches
Interoperability: See the details at
http://www.brocade.com/products/interop/san-interop.jsp
Vendor Comment: The M6140 is the ideal consolidation product for medium to small
enterprises that require a high degree of granularity at a cost effective price point. The M6140
does not compromise when it relates to availability, performance or ease of use.
Availability: Currently available
Base Cost: List pricing for a 140 port M6140 director is $257,623 USD
Detailed Specs: http://www.brocade.com/products/directors/M6140/index.jsp
Vendor URL: www.brocade.com
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Product Snapshot #4
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Product: Cisco Systems; MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch
Ports per Domain: 24 ports (maximum) per Chassis -- scalable from 8 to 24 ports on
demand
Port Speed(s): Line Rate Port speeds of 1, 2, and 4 Gbps Fibre Channel
Performance: Line Rate Performance at 1, 2 and 4 Gbps speeds
Latency: 1.1 microseconds
Classes of Service: Class 2, Class 3, Class F
Management Software: The Cisco MDS 9124 includes built-in storage network management,
with all features available through a command-line interface (CLI) or Cisco Fabric Manager, a
centralized management tool with task-based wizards that simplify management of a standalone switch
or multiple switches and fabrics.
Fabric Services: In addition to FC services like zoning, name services, and login
services, MDS 9000 provides Advances Intelligent Services including, VSAN, Intelligent frame
processing for ACL list, Congestion control (FCC),performance monitoring, ISL trunking and Security
services. The Cisco MDS 9124 supports quick configuration and task wizards that allow it to be
deployed quickly and easily in networks of any size.
Protocol Support: Fibre Channel
Application Support: SMB SAN consolidation, LAN free backup, Replication, Business
Continuance, Enterprise Core Edge design
Security: The Cisco MDS 9124 supports RADIUS and TACACS+, port security, fabric binding,
Fibre Channel Security Protocol (FC-SP) host-to-switch and switch-to-switch authentication, Secure
FTP (SFTP), Secure Shell Version 2 (SSHv2) and Simple Network Management Protocol Version 3
(SNMPv3) implementing Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), VSANs, hardware-enforced zoning,
broadcast zones, and per-VSAN role-based access control (RBAC).
Scalability: We have tested 26-50 switches in 1 SAN. In theory we support 1000s of
switches in 1 SAN given our VSAN capability.
Interoperability: The MDS 9000 family of multilayer directors and fabric switches
supports various types of interoperability modes
Vendor Comment: The Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch, provides enterprise-class
capabilities such as virtual Storage Area Networks (VSANs), advanced security, high availability
and flexibility, all powered by the Cisco SAN operating system. The new switch also offers "pay as
you grow" on-demand ports and an easy point-and-click wizard that dramatically simplifies SAN setup
and management.
Availability: Currently available
Base Cost: An estimated base starting price would be $5,000-$5,500 for 8 ports activated
on the switch, and $7,000-$8,000 for 16 ports activated on the switch.
Detailed Specs:
https://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5990/products_data_sheet0900aecd80446023.html
Vendor URL: www.cisco.com
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Product Snapshot #5
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Product: Cisco Systems; MDS 9506 Multilayer Director
Ports per Domain: 192 ports (maximum) per chassis -- scalable from 12 to 192 ports; 12
to 192 1/2/4Gb Fibre Channel ports; 4 to 16 10 Gb Fibre Channel ports; 4 to 24 1Gb Ethernet
ports
Port Speed(s): Line rate port speeds of 1, 2, 4, and 10Gb Fibre Channel
Performance: Line rate throughput at 1/2/4 and 10Gb. Depending upon the line card, Cisco
MDS 9509 also supports oversubscription
Latency: 5 microseconds for 50 byte packets
Classes of Service: Class 2, Class 3, Class F
Management Software: Cisco MDS 9000 family CLI, Cisco Fabric Manager and Device Manager
and Cisco Fabric Manager Server (optional; requires Cisco Fabric Manager Server license). See
details at
https://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6030/products_data_sheet09186a00800c4656.html
Fabric Services: In addition to standard FC services like zoning, name services, and
login services, MDS 9000 provides Advances Intelligent Services including, VSAN, Intelligent frame
processing for ACL list, Congestion control (FCC),performance monitoring, ISL trunking, Security
services and Network based services (Virtualization, SANTap and Serverless Backup).
Protocol Support: The Cisco MDS 9506 transparently integrates Fibre Channel, IBM Fiber
Connection (FICON), Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI), and Fibre Channel over IP
(CIP) in one system
Application Support: Data Center SAN Consolidation, Business Continuance, Centralized SAN
Management, Advanced SAN Security for Compliance and Regulation, Centralized Backup, Recovery and
Archive through Intelligent Fabric Applications, Storage Virtualization, Serverless Backup and CDP
using Cisco SANTap
Security: Supports RADIUS and TACACS+, Fibre Channel Security Protocol (FC-SP), Secure
File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol, and Simple Network Management Protocol
Version 3 (SNMPv3), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), VSANs, hardware-enforced zoning, ACLs, and
per-VSAN role-based access control.
Scalability: We have test 26-50 switches in 1 SAN. In theory we support 1000s of switches
in one SAN given our VSAN capability.
Interoperability: The MDS 9000 Family of multilayer directors and fabric switches
supports various types of interoperability modes
Vendor Comment: Providing investment protection is one of the best ways to help customers
control costs. The Cisco MDS 9506 provides forward and backward compatibility by supporting all
currently shipping Cisco switching modules. This allows customers to mix and match switching
modules to achieve optimal performance at the most cost effective price, while avoiding costly
forklift upgrades.
Availability: Currently available
Base Cost: An estimated base starting price would be $77,000 USD
Detailed Specs:
https://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5990/products_data_sheet09186a00801ce948.html
Vendor URL: www.cisco.com
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Product Snapshot #6
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Product: Cisco Systems; MDS 9509 Multilayer Director
Ports per Domain: 336 ports (maximum) per chassis -- scalable from 12 to 336 ports; 12
to 336 1/2/4Gb auto-sensing Fibre Channel ports; 4 to 28 10Gb Fibre Channel ports; 4 to 48 1Gb
Ethernet ports
Port Speed(s): Line Rate Port speeds of 1, 2, 4, and 10Gb Fibre Channel
Performance: Line Rate throughput at 1/2/4 and 10Gb. Depending upon the line card, Cisco
MDS 9509 also supports oversubscriptions
Latency: 5 microseconds for 50 byte packets
Classes of Service: Class 2, Class 3, Class F
Management Software: Cisco MDS 9000 family CLI, Cisco Fabric Manager and Device Manager
and Cisco Fabric Manager Server (optional; requires Cisco Fabric Manager Server license). See
details at
https://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6030/products_data_sheet09186a00800c4656.html
Fabric Services: In addition to standard FC services like zoning, name services, and
login services, MDS 9000 provides Advances Intelligent Services including, VSAN, intelligent frame
processing for ACL list, congestion control (FCC), performance monitoring, ISL trunking, security
services and network based services (e.g., Virtualization, SANTap and Serverless
Backup).
Protocol Support: The Cisco MDS 9000 transparently integrates Fibre Channel, IBM Fiber
Connection (FICON), Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI), and Fibre Channel over IP
(FCIP) in one system
Application Support: Data Center SAN Consolidation, Business Continuance, Centralized SAN
Management, Advanced SAN Security for Compliance and Regulation, Centralized Backup, Recovery &
Archive through Intelligent Fabric Applications, Storage Virtualization, Serverless Backup and CDP
using Cisco SANTap
Security: Supports RADIUS and TACACS+, Fibre Channel Security Protocol (FC-SP), Secure
File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol, and Simple Network Management Protocol
Version 3 (SNMPv3), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), VSANs, hardware-enforced zoning, ACLs, and
per-VSAN role-based access control.
Scalability: We have tested 26-50 switches in one SAN. In theory we can support 1000s of
switches given our VSAN capability.
Interoperability: The MDS 9000 family of multilayer directors and fabric switches
supports various types of interoperability modes
Vendor Comment: Providing investment protection is one of the best ways to help customers
control costs. The Cisco MDS 9509 provides forward and backward compatibility by supporting all
currently shipping Cisco switching modules. This allows customers to mix and match switching
modules to achieve optimal performance at the most cost effective price, while avoiding costly
forklift upgrades.
Availability: Currently available
Base Cost: An estimated base starting price would be $85,000 USD
Detailed Specs:
https://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5990/products_data_sheet09186a00801ce945.html
Vendor URL: www.cisco.com
Go to beginning
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Product Snapshot #7
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Product: Cisco Systems; MDS 9513 Multilayer Director
Ports per Domain: 528 ports (maximum) per chassis -- scalable from 12 to 528; 12 to
528 1/2/4Gb Fibre Channel ports; 4 to 44 10Gb Fibre Channel ports; 4 to 60 1Gb Ethernet
ports
Port Speed(s): Line rate port speeds of 1, 2, 4, and 10Gb Fibre Channel
Performance: Line Rate throughput at 1/2/4 and 10Gb. Depending upon the line card, Cisco
MDS 9513 also supports oversubscriptions
Latency: 5 microseconds for 50 byte packets
Classes of Service: Class 2, Class 3, Class F
Management Software: Cisco MDS 9000 family CLI, Cisco Fabric Manager and Device Manager
and Cisco Fabric Manager Server (optional; requires Cisco Fabric Manager Server license). See
details at
https://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6030/products_data_sheet09186a00800c4656.html
Fabric Services: Apart from the standard FC services like zoning, name services, and
login services, MDS 9000 provides Advances Intelligent Services including, VSAN, Intelligent frame
processing for ACL list, Congestion control (FCC),performance monitoring, ISL trunking, Security
services and Network based services (e.g., Virtualization, SANTap and Serverless
Backup).
Protocol Support: The Cisco MDS 9513 transparently integrates Fibre Channel, IBM Fiber
Connection (FICON), Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI), and Fibre Channel over IP
(FCIP) in one system.
Application Support: Data Center SAN Consolidation, Business Continuance, Centralized SAN
Management, Advanced SAN Security for Compliance and Regulation, Centralized Backup, Recovery &
Archive through Intelligent Fabric Applications, Storage Virtualization, Serverless Backup and CDP
using Cisco SANTap
Security: Supports RADIUS and TACACS+, Fibre Channel Security Protocol (FC-SP), Secure
File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), Secure Shell (SSH) Protocol, and Simple Network Management Protocol
Version 3 (SNMPv3), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), VSANs, hardware-enforced zoning, ACLs, and
per-VSAN role-based access control.
Scalability: We have tested 26-50 switches in one SAN. In theory there can be 1000s of
switches in a SAN given Cisco's VSAN capability.
Interoperability: The MDS 9000 family of multilayer directors and fabric switches
supports various types of interoperability modes
Vendor Comment: Providing investment protection is one of the best ways to help customers
control costs. The Cisco MDS 9513 provides forward and backward compatibility by supporting all
currently shipping Cisco switching modules. This allows customers to mix and match switching
modules to achieve optimal performance at the most cost effective price, while avoiding costly
forklift upgrades.
Availability: Currently available
Base Cost: An estimated base starting price would be $100,000
Detailed Specs:
https://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5990/products_data_sheet0900aecd80446023.html
Vendor URL: www.cisco.com
Go to beginning
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08 May 2007